Auburn vs LSU College Football Odds & NCAAF Predictions

The No. 1 LSU Tigers (7-0, 4-0 SEC) and the No.20 Auburn Tigers (5-2, 3-1 SEC) will face off in a week 8 college football odds SEC showdown that could have an impact on how the rest of their NCAAF predictions season plays out. LSU has looked so good up to this point, that most college football betting predictions experts believed that only they could hurt themselves and in week 8, that just may be the case. On Wednesday, the Associated Press reported that LSU has suspended star cornerback and potential Heisman candidate Tyrann Mathieu, leading rusher, Spencer Ware and fourth leading tackler, Tharold Simon, for reportedly failing random drug tests. LSU has neither confirmed nor denied the report, but this news has sent shock waves through the NCAAF predictions community, as many are now questioning what this will mean for the LSU Tigers’ potential title run.

LSU was able to deal with the early-season absence of starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson, who was suspended indefinitely back in August for his involvement in a Baton Rouge bar fight, but winning their NCAA football predictions showdown without these three suspended players will be a bit of a challenge. Jefferson was eventually allowed to return when the charges against him were reduced, however, this is not the same though, as LSU is now 7-0 on the season and they’ve solidified their status as one of this season’s college football odds National Championship contenders. When you see this type of selfishness from key players who get suspended right in the middle of the season, it makes you question what this team’s mindset and focus is really like. It makes people question if the LSU is really committed to winning a national championship this year. Right now, it sounds like the three players will only miss this Saturday’s Tiger Bowl against Auburn at 3:30pm ET on CBS, a matchup that LSU is favored to win by 21 points, but looming on the horizon is the huge showdown with No. 2 Alabama on Nov. 5.

LSU will still come out on top in this game, as they certainly have the type of talent needed to survive without those three suspended starters. Michael Ford, who is averaging 5.4 yards per carry this season, is an adequate replacement for Spencer Ware and even though Tyrann Mathieu has been a star impact player this season, cornerback Morris Claiborne may actually be the best defensive back in the country. Even if Les Miles allows the three players back for the battle with the Tide, it’s fair to speculate what type of effect the suspensions will have on the rest of the team. On-field production would not be the problem, it would be the effect on the locker room environment that I would be concerned about. Look for LSU to win this weekend, but they won’t cover that enormous 21-point spread against Auburn.

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